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Category Archives: video matrix switcher

The purpose of an HDMI Matrix Switcher is to allow several high-definition sources to be switched onto one or multiple HDTVs. HDMI Router Switches are available in 4×2, 4×4, 8×8 or even 16×16 port configurations. All the switches support the latest trend in high-definition television sets, 3D.
On a 4×4 HDMI Matrix, there are four HDMI connections for inputs and four HDMI connections for outputs. Look for an HDMI Router device that has EDID management and EDID memory.

Why is EDID important?
EDID stands for Extended Display Identification Data.
When a source such as a DVD player or cable set top box is switched on and it has something connected to the HDMI port the source will request information about the display. The display will then respond with a manufacturer identifier and capability information. This capability information defines what resolution the screen can support 720p or 1080p and other display information.
HDMI also contains audio support so the EDMI management gathers that information too. For example, is your set configured for Dolby surround sound or does it only support 2-channel / speaker audio?
EDMI is what allows you to quickly switch between devices without long pauses using an HDMI matrix. Some units support switching and device recognition in as little as 2 seconds.Important 4×4 HDMI Matrix Features
• 4 HDMI digital source devices matrix switched to 4 HDMI devices
• HDMI digital video with audio
• Worldwide EDID modes for HDTV resolutions
• Link speeds of up to 6.75 Gbps (link clock rate of 225Mb Hz), Support HDMI 1.4a 3D formats.
• Wide range of HD resolutions from PC XGA to WUXGA 1920×1200 and HDTV/DTV resolutions 480i/480p, 576i/576p, 720p, 1080i & 1080p
• Compatible with all HDMI source devices including computer monitors, Plasma HD display, HDTV and audio receivers/amplifiers.
• Digital Video TMDS formats with resolution up to 1080P-60
• Digital Audio Support: – Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plug/ex, – DTS, DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master, DTS-EX – PCM, PCM2, LPCM2.
• Various User Interface control:
o Windows based GUI control via RS232 port
o Front Panel push button
• Infra-Red Remote wireless remote
• Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) switches all open or OFF. The Switcher remembers that last state during a power cycle. System recalls the last device in use and recognizes it first.
• Fast Speed Switching (Less than 2 seconds)
You may need an Infra-red remote extender to control devices beyond 300 feet. The HDMI Matrix Switch is the answer to never having to re-route connector cables between devices again.

Get near wholesale prices on a 4×4 or 8×8 HDMI Matrix Switch at KVMSwitchtech. Call the support team Toll FREE (866) 865-7737 and get your questions answered before you spend money on any other product.

We recently had a customer call with a request for a new installation. They were going to be setting up an entertainment room with a combination of HDTVs and projectors. Each input had to be able to show the same image on all outputs, but they also needed to be able to display different information from different HDMI sources. The solution that we provided was an 8×8 HDMI Matrix Switch.

8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch

This 8×8 HDMI Switch was ideal because it supports eight HDTV inputs to be switched to eight HDTV outputs independently. It also allows an administrator to configure each source to be shown on any of the displays simultaneously. Configuration can be managed with either an IR remote control; with push buttons on the front of the switch; or through a computer using either the RS232 Port or an optional TCP/IP Ethernet converter. Now the customer is able to administer their collection of devices including Apple TVs, computers, video cameras, and 3D HDTVs and projectors from one convenient location.

If you have a similar application for a 8×8 HDMI Matrix Switch or any type of HDMI Splitter or HDMI Extender solution, contact KVMSwitchTech at (866) 865-7737 and they’ll get you set up with a great deal.

You’ve got high-end electronics all over the house. Along with the satellite receiver or cable box other components are Blue-ray DVDs, high-def television sets, video camcorders, cameras and gaming consoles. Chances are you aren’t taking advantage full advantage of distributed viewing. It is possible to use a device called a video matrix switch to make it possible to hear and see movies, videos, and network broadcasts on more than one display.

CAT5 Video Matrix Switch

Often people think that they have to purchase duplicate electronic components, such as a Blue-ray DVD player, in order watch a video on a television that isn’t directly connected to the Blue-ray. In fact, it is possible to alternate high-definition video between 256 sources and 256 outputs using a video matrix switch.
Simply by plugging components into the video matrix switch, images can be broadcast from multiple sources to multiple displays. Or, the same input from one device can be seen on all the monitors. The control and configuration is accomplished using push buttons on the device, RS232 control or via Infra-Red (IR) remote control. The enterprise level Matrix Switchers are also offered with an optional TCP/IP control option.

A DVI Matrix Switch lets you select between set number of DVI sources to DVI displays. It is very user friendly as each connection “learns” the specifications of the attached monitor. That way you don’t have to get into manually changing complicated settings. This DVI matrix does the hard part for you.

DVI Matrix Switch

Connections are completed using existing DVI cables. Just connect the male connector to the video-in port on the DVI matrix switch. Then connect the DVI cables between the monitors and the DVI out ports on the DVI matrix. Plug the switch into power and you are ready to control what is shown on each display.
You control the settings from the front panel or with a laptop/PC and an RS232 cable connected to the RS232 port. Some DVI Router units are also offered with optional TCP/IP control. It is possible to configure settings so a single source displays on all monitors. You can also configure this DVI matrix switch so that any of the inputs are shown on any of the outputs. These units are available in a number of different models to support a number of different inputs/outputs including: 4×2, 4×4, 8×4, 8×8 and 16×16 configurations. The 16×16 dvi video matrix units are offered with medical grade UL certifications and built in DVI Fiber Extender ports for long distance signal transmission.

Before you go searching for a video matrix solution, you need to inventory the type of equipment you plan to use. If you have access to the original equipment specifications from the vendor then that is ideal. Of course, that kind of paperwork is easily lost. One option is to look online at the vendor’s website to see if you can download the specifications.

HDMI Matrix Switch

The reason you need to do this is that all monitors and video cards are not the same. That may seem obvious to a technical person, but if you are not versed in the differences between Composite, Component, VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DVI-D/DVI-I, then you can easily get the wrong video matrix switch device.
Are you looking for a way to display high definition video from multiple devices to multiple displays? This type of scenario is often the case for people who are building out a home entertainment center with a number of different high-def devices. In this case, you will benefit from adding a HDMI Matrix Switch to your entertainment center. This type of video matrix carries both audio and video signals over a single HDMI cable.
Still confused? Contact the Video Matrix experts at KVMSwitchTech for help. They are easy to talk to and will set you up with the proper selection of equipment suited for your situation.

DVI has been the premier interface for digital video display technology for computer displays and projectors for several years. DVI has the capacity to support both analog displays and digital displays with resolutions up to FullHD 1080p. DVI-D displays are especially useful when they can be used in concert with multiple sources. A Video Matrix Switch is the best solution for power users looking to combine these sources with multiple displays. DVI Video Matrix Switches are available in a wide range of configurations from a 4×2 matrix to a 16×16 DVI Matrix. Most DVI interfaces have one flaw in that they lack audio support. Many DVI Matrix Switch products make up for this shortcoming by offering separate audio ports for each DVI port. They can also be controlled through the use of push-button controls on the device, an IR-Remote control, or by a computer through the use of either a serial port or through TCP/IP controls.

High Definition televisions and HD sources have entered the mainstream and HDMI has become king of interfaces. As device compatibility has increased, the need for more display ports has driven the need for HDMI Matrix Switch options. Though there are other ways of adding HD devices to a display, HDMI provides a simple interface for both high end video and audio through a single cable. The HDMI Matrix allows multiple sources to be displayed on multiple displays, or a single source to display on multiple screens simultaneously in FullHD. These displays can be situated as far away as the cabling allows while still maintaining the option for high resolution video and surround sound audio at each location. These Video Matrix Switches range in sizes from 2 inputs and 2 outputs all the way to 8 inputs and 8 outputs. They can be controlled through either the use of push buttons on the switch, an IR remote control, RS232 control or in some cases TCP/IP access.

Ever wonder how the bartender controls all those TVs with the different stations using a single remote? Chances are that they are using a Video Matrix Switch. Many sports bars and restaurants have a small server rack somewhere hosting a variety of equipment. One of the items you will likely find is a Video Matrix Switcher used for connecting multiple video sources with multiple displays. Each source can then be shown on any of the displays connected to the switch, or it can be shown on all of them simultaneously. While many Video Matrix products are dedicated to a single adapter (HDMI, DVI, VGA, composite, or component), some are capable of using a mixture of inputs and outputs. Many Video Router solutions can also be controlled by a computer, but all of them include physical selector buttons to change sources and displays.